Indrajit

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Victory of Meghanada.Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.
Victory of Meghanada.
Painting by Raja Ravi Varma.

From the Hindu epic Ramayana, Indrajit (pronounced indrajīt) (Sanskrit: इन्‍द्र जीत) also called Meghanaada (méghanāda) (also spelled Indrajita or Megnath) was the son of Raavana, king of Lanka by his wife Mandodari, daughter of Mayasura. A foremost warrior he could rival Rama in fighting skills. He was an ideal son and citizen

Indrajit was named "Meghanad" at birth because when he cried for the first time, thunder and lightning resounded, signifying the birth of a great warrior. The sobriquet 'Indrajit' ("conqueror of Indra") was conferred upon him by Lord Brahma when he defeated and imprisoned Indra, the king of the Devas. In modern India, "Indrajit" is not an uncommon name. This is a curious and a rare development[citation needed], because, 'Indrajit' was neither a 'Deva'(like Surya), nor a 'Bhakta' (like Prahalad); on the contrary, he was a Rakshasa. Meghanad's devotion to his father Ravana parallels Rama's devotion to his father. Meghanad realized Lakshamana was an avatar of a divine being, but rather than forfeit and live in disgrace, he fought till the end as this was his father, Ravana, wish.

A Brahmastra weapon was granted to Indrajit on his victory over Indra. It is said that this weapon has tremendous power and when it leaves the bow, it can beat any arrow and kill any person at wish.

Indrajit played an active part in the great war between Rama and Ravana. Indrajit had access to all of the divine weapons like the Brahmastra. Indrajit even bound Rama and Lakshmana under the Nagpash (Serpent spell). The King of eagles Garuda subsequently freed Rama and Lakshmana from the Nagpash. Indrajit was unbeatable in war due to the yajna (also spelled yagna) he carried out before any battle, and could only be killed by disrupting this yajna. Lakshmana disrupted his yajna and killed Indrajit while he was in meditation, thus slaying him by treachery.

Indrajit was married to Sulochana (Prameela), daughter of Vasuki, who was king of the Nagas.